HEAD WOMEN’S SOCCER COACH – NIKOLA BARJAKTAREVIC Barjaktarevic is not new to building a program from the ground up. He successfully started the women’s soccer program at The University of Texas at Brownsville in 2007, a process that culminated in the team’s advancement to the Elite 8 round of the NAIA National Tournament in 2012, a current national rank of No. 9 by the NAIA and an impressive career record of 79-27-7. While at UTB, his teams won four Red River Athletic Conference Championships and made three NAIA National Tournament appearances. He was also named Red River Athletic Coach of the Year three times as well as NSCAA Regional Coach of the year. Just this spring he was honored with RRAC 2013 Coach of Character Award. Other team accolades include the NAIA Champions of Character Award in 2009 and 2012, and 2013 NAIA Team Academic Award.
WOMEN’S SOCCER PROGRAM TO START FALL 2014 Athletic programs have flourished at the University of St. Thomas. Now, UST continues to grow, adding a new program: women’s soccer. To help build, recruit and lead a championship-caliber team, UST looks to Nikola Barjaktarevic, former head women’s soccer coach at The University of Texas – Brownsville. "When we began the search for our new and first ever women's soccer coach at UST, I never would have imagined we could get someone as proven as Nikola Barjaktarevic. He is a proven winner on the field, and his student-athletes have been successful in the classroom and in their respective communities. Coach Barjaktarevic will be a terrific addition to the University of St. Thomas. I am excited to watch him build our women’s soccer program," Todd Smith said. Barjaktarevic joined The University of St. Thomas on Aug. 5, 2013 and will be at the helm of the women’s soccer program, starting with inaugural season in fall 2014. The addition of women’s soccer highlights the commitment of the University and the athletic department as they work to continue the success, both in Red River Athletic Conference and at the NAIA level.
WHY UST SOCCER? • • • • • • • • •
His coaching philosophy is based around academic excellence, recruitment and retention, player development and building relationships. His approach, seeking student athletes with character and a passion for excellence both in the classroom and in their sport, has proved successful, and he plans to use the same approach as he begins recruiting this fall. In his career Barjaktarevic recruited several players that represented their countries at the national level in soccer, and some of his student-athletes continue to play in WPSL, W-League and professionally abroad. “We want to have a successful program,” Barjaktarevic said. “When I say successful, I mean not only winning on the field, but also in classroom and in life, by doing things the right way. The ultimate goal is to graduate and prepare our studentathletes to be positive contributors and leaders wherever their life might take them. It’s about much more than just soccer, it’s about life, and all the things that are important to us as a program that they will encounter on our incredible journey here, will ultimately prepare them for the rest of their life.” For more information on Coach Barjaktarevic and the women’s soccer program, visit www.ustcelts.com.
• • • • • • • • •
Being a part of an incredible journey, of building traditions, of history in the making. Commitment to excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in life. First class education, player and professional development opportunities. Doing things the right way and with class - how we play, train and act. High expectations, challenging environment, established vision, mission and goals. Winning mentality, belief in team and family. Great location, Houston, TX - fourth largest city in the US. Beautiful urban campus in the heart of Houston’s historic Museum District. Great facilities – soccer teams train and play at Houston Amateur Sports Park (official training facility for Houston Dynamo MLS team) as well as on campus training, strength & conditioning and rehab facilities. Memorable campus and residence life; fantastic dorms and “home away from home” campus feeling. Experienced, driven, and professional coaching and support staff. Preparation for graduation and success beyond, weather it is with your professional career, life skills or soccer after college. Player development, opportunities to play during summer and beyond college in W-League, WPSL and professionally. Resources for success in soccer, classroom and in life. Community and campus involvement and community service, servant leadership. Being a Champion of Character. Well rounded emphasis on student-athlete experience, with primary focus on student first. Being a part of a soccer program that about more than just winning games, playing for a greater purpose.
Through a partnership with the Houston Amateur Sports Park LGC and the City of Houston, the Houston Amateur Sports Park (HASP) is the Dynamo’s permanent training home and hosts a variety of youth and amateur sporting events. HASP is the permanent home and professional training center for the Dynamo first team, Dynamo youth academy, The multi-field soccer facility is located off State Highway 288, approximately 10 miles south of the Dynamo's new downtown stadium site. The University of St. Thomas and the Houston Dynamo have developed a strategic plan to continue to develop HASP and create a premier dedicated match field for both parties.
ERSHIP • DETERMINATION • FAIR PLAY • AGGRESSIVENESS • CONFIDENCE • TEAM WORK • COURAGE • LOYALTY • COMPETITIVENESS • FAMILY • WINNING MENTALITY